Vaccinations
The best and least expensive medical care is preventive care. Vaccinations are an important part of keeping your pet healthy, and the good news is that there are now vaccines for more diseases, and they are more protective. Some vaccines do not need to be repeated every year or mature animals. Puppies and kittens, though, still need a series of vaccinations to establish immunity.
While we offer a wide variety of vaccines, we don't give most pets all of them. We will base our vaccine recommendations and frequency based on your pets' individual lifestyles; indoor only cats may not need a Leukemia vaccine; older pets may not get yearly boosters; city dogs won't need a lymes vaccine. We'll also listen to any concerns you have, be it worry of too many vaccines or insufficient coverage from too few.
Dogs
Vaccines are available for a number of canine diseases, and we will help you to plan a
schedule appropriate for your pet. Some of the diseases we vaccinate against are:
Canine distemper is a widespread, often fatal disease. All dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, starting with distemper-measles vaccination at 6-9 weeks of age.
Canine adenovirus type-1 and type-2 causes infectious hepatitis and respiratory infection, respectively. Hepatitis caused by adenovirus type-1 may result in severe kidney damage or death. Adenovirus type-2 is an important factor in kennel cough.
Canine bordetella (B. bronchiseptica) may contribute to kennel cough. This bacterial infection can occur alone or in combination with distemper, adenovirus type-2 infection, parainfluenza, and other respiratory problems.
Canine leptospirosis is a zoonotic bacterial infection. The bacteria can
survive in standing water, and is transmitted between animals, including wildlife,
via urine. For your dog, this means that if a raccoon that has leptospirosis urinates
in a corner of your back yard after a rainy day, and your dog then drinks from that
puddle, he might get infected himself! Thus, wildlife or standing ponds does not simply
refer to Tilden Park or Point Isabelle. Older strains of the bacteria targeted primarily
the liver, but newer strains can target the kidneys instead. Leptospirosis is readily
treated with long term antibiotics, but can be fatal if not treated in time.
Many vaccines only cover the older strains, thought there are a couple that
provide protection against the newer strains.
In small dogs, this vaccine is thought to be one of the
most implicated for vaccine reactions, and so we often will not give to small breed
dogs at lower risk of exposure.
Canine parainfluenza is another cause of kennel cough. Although parainfluenza is often a mild respiratory infection in otherwise healthy dogs, it can be severe in puppies or ill and weakened dogs.
Canine parvovirus infection targets the gastro-intestinal tract, causing debilitating vomiting and diarrhea. In addition. it causes swelling on the intestinal lining. Normally, there are bacteria that live in the intestines, that don't cause any health issues (and some may aid in digestion) as long as they remain there. The intestinal swelling permits the bacteria to enter the bloodstream, causing secondary infections. Both the dehydration and secondary infections can prove deadly alone, and the combination untreated is often fatal. If caught early, parvo can readily be survived. Over the past few decades, the virus has mutated several times, and like with the human flu, vaccines for one strain don't always protect against all strains. The vaccines we carry have been developed to protect against the common american strains.
Porphyromonas - When tartar builds up over the tooth and gums, bacteria build up under the gums causing decay to the roots and bone, causing abscesses and tooth loss. This new vaccine helps prevent the root and bone decay, though brushing and dental cleanings are still recommended.
Rabies virus attacks the brain and central nervous system, and is transmitted to humans chiefly through a bite of and infected animal. Rabies is commonly fatal.
Canine coronavirus infection is a highly contagious intestinal disease causing vomiting and diarrhea in dogs of all ages. In young puppies, dehydration from coronavirus infection can be life-threatening.
Rattlesnake The rattlesnake vaccine helps provide protection against rattlesnake bites. Large snake bites, or more potent venom, will still overwhelm the protection the vaccine gives, but even in those cases there is still a bit more time to get veterinary care. Also the vaccine will help prevent the later effects of snake bites, such as the localized skin death sloughing. The vaccine is not a 100% preventive, nor is it meant to be; but it does lessen the danger of bites.
Cats
Rabies virus attacks the brain and central nervous system, and is transmitted to humans chiefly through a bite of and infected animal. Rabies is commonly fatal. We use a recombinant rabies vaccine that lowers the likelihood of a vaccine reaction and long term effects. Unlike other rabies vaccines, it is only good for 1 year.
Feline panleukopenia (feline distemper) is very contagious. Characterized by elevated temperature, a loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, feline panleukopenia is often deadly, particularly among kittens.
Feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR) is a highly contagious respiratory disease characterized by sneezing, loss of appetite, fever, and eye inflammation. A discharge is noticeable from both nose and eyes.
Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a serious feline respiratory infection. That may occur
alongside feline viral rhinotracheitis. Calicivirus-infected cats may have ulcers on the
tongue. The standard version of this virus if deadly in up to 40% of kittens.
In the past decade, a new strain of Calicivirus, named Virulent Systemic Calici, has been identified by UC Davis.
Most vaccines only cover the older strain, but there is a vaccine that covers the new strains as well.
Feline pneumonitis, is caused by the organism Chlamydia psittaci. Signs of pneumonitis are similar to those of FVR and FCV.
Feline leukemia is a viral disease that can take several forms. Some cats have transient infections with few ill effects, while others have infections which may be fatal over time. There is no known relationship between feline leukemia and human leukemia.
FIP is a disease of cats caused by feline infectious peritonitis virus. The most
commonly diagnosed clinical symptom is an accumulation of fluid within the peritoneal cavity.
Phone: (510) 841 - 4412
Fax: (510) 841 - 3019
email: staff AT uvhberkeley DOT com
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